Don’t get me wrong, I like snow. I like it a lot actually. By mid July, however, I’m tired of falling down, sinking up to my elbows, and really just want to move quickly. If there was a magical place in 2019 in Colorado that could fulfill those 3 criteria, I was going to find it. Welcome to the La Garita Wilderness.

The Colorado Trail exits the trees just below Snow Mesa via a small canyon. Ascend the eastern wall and welcome to Snow Mesa. It’s huge. Choose your own path or stay on the CT as long as you like.

“Baldy no es Cinco” (L) and Baldy Cinco (R) from Snow Mesa where I left the CT.

They’re not as far as they look or maybe they are. I aimed for a spot high on Baldy no es Cinco’s eastern slope and went for it.

Summit of “Baldy no es Cinco” – Elevation 13,313 – July 14, 2019The real SJ’s from the top of Baldy no es Cinco. It’s still winter over there.

Name that peak? All 300+… Go.

Looking southwest I was able to gain some perspective into a few of the routes I had used on several Weminuche outings. From the southeastern end of the Rio Grande Reservoir and I could see directly up the Los Pinos River drainage used to access RGP and the various surrounding 13ers. From the northern end of the reservoir and I could see where I crossed the the Rio Grande and meandered up Ute Creek to access the Oso group a few years back.

Back on topic, the traverse over to Baldy Cinco is short and uneventful.

Summit of Baldy Cinco – Elevation 13,383′ and the remainder of the route. UN 13,510 A (L) , UN 13,162 A (center).

The traverse over to 162 A also goes quickly. Long, but quick.

Glacier.Ok, it’s a cornice. I give it 2 more days, max.The grassy western slope of UN 13,162 A. Class 5.Summit of 13,162 A – July 14, 2019. UN 13,510 A (R).

From the top of 162 A I briefly dropped off the ridge to avoid a snow slope and aimed for the CT at the low point of the saddle pictured below. From there I followed the CT around the rocky terrain and chose the path of least resistance to 510 A’s ridge line.

The traverse over to UN 13,510 A (summit not pictured (L)) from UN 13,162 A. Colorado Trail below.

From the ridge a class 2 hike and few hundred vert will get you to the summit of UN 13,510 A.

Summit of UN 13,510 A. Too many pictures of T. Rex? In this picture he’s doing his best impression of one of those camo Ptarmigan birds.

4 for 4. Time to head home. Weather still holding. Drop back down to the CT and follow it for ~6 miles to Spring Creek Pass.

Colorado Trail on Snow Mesa with Uncompahgre making an appearance.Looking backwards, while running faster than I care to run.10 minutes later. Builds character.The beetles have obviously decimated this place, but there is so much new life on the forest floor. It’s encouraging.Treats for everyone.Creede, COTHE END.

Thanks for reading all. I can’t even remember the last time I wrote a trip report. Feels good.